Getting Started With My Smart Slate

I'm feeling quite confident with my Smart Slate so far!  On Friday, I was able to successfully load the software onto my school computer.  The only slight glitch was in getting the key code that I needed for the Notebook software.  I called the "Smart" tech support, and at first was told that there was no eligible product registered to the MOISD.  Then he told me that the Notebook software was only used with the actual Smart Board.  I told the tech guy that we used the Smart Slate at our training, and he said that we were probably using it without the Notebook software.  I replied that I was certain that we were using the Notebook software, and he seemed dubious for a while, then when I was about to give up and call back, hoping for a different tech guy, he suddenly said, "Oh, I just happened to stumble across the Smart Slate key code for the MOISD!"  So that was finally resolved, and from there, everything went fine.  I was even able to establish a bluetooth connection with my computer's built-in bluetooth, so I don't need to use the little USB adaptor.


I was excited to take the Smart Slate home for the weekend, so that I could practice with it.  When I was about to install the software at home, I was disappointed when I remembered that my computer at home is a year older than my computer at school, and does not meet the minimum software requirements for the Notebook software.  It took me until the next day to realize "Duh!  If I just go on the Smart website, I can probably find an older version of the software that will work with my computer at home!"  So I did, and I installed it with no problems.


I've been searching the web for resources, and just like we were told at the first workshop, there are TONS of available resources.  I started collecting the ones I like in a new LiveBinder (http://livebinders.com/play/play_or_edit?id=195347).  While doing that, I noticed there are 73 other public binders with a Smart Board focus already saved at LiveBinder--I'll need to check those out as well!  


One of my favorites resources so far for allowing the student to practice with the Smart Slate is "Draw a Stickman," found at http://www.drawastickman.com/.  I think the kids will really like it, and like I said, I think it will be good for practicing the hand-eye coordination necessary for using the Smart Slate.  For deciding who gets the next turn with the Smart Slate, I like the random name generator from "Super Teacher Tools" found at http://www.superteachertools.com/classroom-tools/random-name.php.  I found  a lot of curricular area resources so far, also.  Now I just need to take a little more time to sort through them and select the ones that really tie in with our 5th grade learning objectives.